EVENTS FOR JANUARY, 2006  18 JANUARY-dinnermeeting-1830 hours —BAE systems— (Tracer]  24 JANUARY-Board Meeting-1330 hrs -- Camp Mabry Naval Reserve Bldg.  27 JANUARY-ROWC-LUNCHEON --Austin Woman's Club-_ See Page 4 for further details- HEADS UP  4 FEBRUARY-VALENTINE DANCE Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scales. B.J.Langentjeld AUSTIN MILITARY HISTORY  Within weeks after the government of the Republic of Texas was moved to Austin in 1839, the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed a law directing Secretary of War, Albert Sidney Johnston, to cut a "military road" from Austin to the north which was intended to connect Austin with future frontier forts up to the Red River. This project eventually resulted in the establishment of Cedar Springs Post, now called Dallas, near the Trinity River crossing. Preston, Texas was a frontier settlement on the Red River which no longer exists because the site was inundated by Lake Texoma. Historic "Preston Road" going north out of Dallas, now US Highway 289, was the northern end of this "military road." The Austin end of this "military road" probably followed present-day Guadalupe Street. Those individuals on "The Drag" near the University of Texas probably are unaware that it was once called "Military Road." COL Sel Graham

-ROWC ANNUAL VALENTINE DANCE  Get a head start on this holiday and take your sweetheart to the dance-and dinner. Contact Donna DiLoreto at 418-0310 for information on price. Checks may be sent to her at 9812 Big View Drive, Austin, 78730 or taken to the regular luncheon meeting of the ROWC on 27 January. Ken Ragsdale will provide the music and the menu is Salmon or Prime Rib, They need to know your choices with your check. PART EXCERPT FROM MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE-PART EDITOR-I'm sure you are all aware that we did not fare too well in the final 06 OB. Auth. Act. " The House refused to go along with either of the SBP fixes...........primarily for cost reasons (in combination, the programs would cost about $9 billion over Congress' 10-year "scoring" period. So SBP widows will still have VA payments deducted from their SBP benefits (the OCT increase was so small as to be almost not noticable) and the retirees who already have paid more than 30 years of SBP premiums will have to wait at least another year..............."" We tried-l hope you all sent in your postcards and made phone calls and sent e-mails— and came close-Katrina was the excuse. So we try again next year.  GAINS-Concurrent receipt for Unemployables-from 2013 to 2009.  Guard and Reserve Health Care-nearly all members of Selected Reserve eligible for TRICARE coverage at various costs, none of them cheap. All active duty. Guard and Reserve receive 3.1% pay raise. Guard and Reserve mobilized for more than 30 days elegible far locality-based housing allowances.  Army strength increased by 10,000 and Marines by 1,000.........................................

 

Birthday List- January LTC GEORGE ARMSTRONG USAF MRS JOYCE PETERSEN USAF MRS JOAN BANOSUCH. USAF LTCOL OEAN PHILLIPS USA MRS BETTY BOSSERMAN USA MRS CHRISTA PIERCE USA MRS MARY BOYCE USAF MRS MIMI POTEET USAF COL CHARLES BUSH USA MAJ LEONARO REINKE USAF MGEN MICHAEL BUTCHKO USAF MAJ LOYO REISS USAF MRS JOAN CREWS USA COL WILLIAM RICHARDSON USAF MRS JANE DAY USAF MRS MARY ANN ROSE USAF MRS ANNA DERDEYN USA LTCOL MILTON ROSE USAF MRS SANDY HAIRE USA LTCOL WILLIAM [JIM] SAMPSON USAF MRS PEGGY HDLLAND USA MRS VIRGINIA SEIOEMAN USA CAPT MERLEN HOWE USN MRS KATHRYN SLEPR USAF MRS MARTY KOPRA USAF MRS SHIRLEY SMITH USCG CDR GLENN LOONEY USN MRS MARY SOKOLEWICZ USAF COL B.J. MARTIN USAF COL BRYAN SPENCER USA MRS GENNIE MEEK USA MRS BARBARA SUSARABA USAF MRS ENGE MEIIER USA MRS SYLVIA TRZASKOMA USAF COL OONALD MISHLER USAF MRS JEAN TUCCI USAF COL JAMES ORR USMC MRS JODY WILLIAMS USA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL.   YOU HAVE 1 CHANCE IN 38 TO WIN A BIRTHDAY PRESENT- IF EVERYONE LISTED ABOVE IS PRESENT. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS      You may recall that in September, COL Carlos Higgins told us that he had been selected by a White House appointed panel as a delegate to attend a national Conference on Aging, and he promised a report on the conference. Here is his report, without comment from the Editor except to let you know that Col Higgins has agreed to answer any questions you may have after reading the report., and he does plan to be at the January meeting. READ COL HIGGINS RETORT-IT IS EYE-OPENING. White House Conference on Aging Washington, DC December 11 -14, 2005 1200  Delegates to this event were brought from all over the US and territories (at the expense of the White House), and housed at the very fine Marriott Wardman in DC - near the Zoo. Shortly before departing for the meeting, a package of 73 Resolutions was mailed to each Delegate. At the meeting, we were allowed to vote for 50 of these, as a way to rank them in importance. We could not add to the 73, nor could we change any of the wording. The "top 10" resolutions and number of votes received are shown below. The number one issue garnered 1061 votes from the 1200 delegates. Only one resolution addressed veterans' issues. This one spoke of ensuring appropriate recognitions and care for veterans across all healthcare settings. It received 624 votes, so more than half of the delegates rated it as fairly important. It was ranked as # 32 of the 73. The only other way delegates were allowed to participate in any meaningful way in this conference was in "breakout" groups, formed to discuss the best ways to implement the chosen resolutions. Time constraints limited each delegate to take part in no more than three breakout sessions. I chose the sessions dealing with 1. Social Security, 2. Oversight and Accountability for implementing resolutions recommended by this Conference, and 3. Healthcare for Veterans. A large group of delegates attended the breakout session on Social Security. Delegates almost unanimously rejected privatization as a cure. Passions ran fairly high, and there was considerable tension between the delegates and the staff facilitators over restraints and limiting rules imposed on delegates. A fairly high and widespread level of discontent over the rules was apparent among the delegates. Some delegates, urging rule changes and venting frustration, were threatened with expulsion by facilitators. The session on Oversight and Accountability offered several recommendations. Probably the most straightforward and cheapest was urging the White House to recognize the work of the Conference, make records and documentation from the Conference publicly available, and evaluate the Conference by a survey of the delegates. A fairly large group of delegates, mostly veterans themselves, attended the session on healthcare for veterans. Many good, sensible ideas were offered. In a fairly long initial report (several pages) given to delegates, though, I am sorely disappointed to report the extent of concern given to veterans is this: "Develop innovative strategies to care for Veterans in all settings." This may be a reflection of the level of knowledge and concern about veterans held by staffers in Washington. The delegates expressed far more, but so far, have been ignored on this issue. Additional information is available at http://www.wvhcoa.gov/  Here are the ten top rated Resolutions, with the number of votes each received:  1061 Reauthorize the Older Americans Act  1015 Coordinated, Comprehensive Long-Term Care Strategy  1002 Ensure that Older Americans Have Transportation Options to Retain Their Mobility and Independence  969 Strengthen and Improve Medicaid  962 Strengthen and Improve Medicare  937 Support Geriatric Education and Training for All Healthcare workers.  934 Promote Innovative Models of Non-Institutional Long-Term Care  929 Improve Treatment of Mental Illness and Depression Among Older Americans  920 Attain Adequate Numbers of Healthcare Personnel  883 Improve State and Local Based Integrated Delivery Systems  The highlight of this Conference was the address given by David Walker, Comptroller General of the US, in which he bluntly pointed out the dire financial straits our country will encounter in the near future, if we continue the current course.             Carlos Higgins CarlosTX@sbcglobal.net —Have you paid your Annual DUES???

 

THE BULLETIN BOARD     DINNER MEETING -  Wednesday, 18 January, 2006     BAE Systems Dining Hall         6500 Tracor Lane (Highway 183, South of Webberville Overpass, Just off Ed Bluestein Blvd)                       1830 hours Attire:       Men: Business Casual or Uniform always appropriate Ladies: Business Casual Dress, Pant suit or Uniform Charge: $20.00 per person [check payable to AMOAA ] Note: Reservations may be made with your assigned caller or with your service representative by calling before 2100 hours on the Sunday before the Wednesday dinner. Cancellations should also be made by the aforementioned time. Individuals who do not honor reservations will be billed.

 

-COME AND JOIN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS - SUPPORT MOAA!" Find a new member to bring with you. The Holidays are over. Let's get down to business. We are no longer a "retired" organization-we are a dynamic one. Let's get out and Live. —See you on the 18th.!!!!

 

PROGRAM  PROGRAM- Maj General Charles G. Rodriguez has had a varied and interesting career, from graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1975 to 1 June, 2005 when he was appointed by the Governor as the Adjutant General of Texas and was federally recognized as a Major General. In addition to his BS in Electrical Engineering from the Military Academy, he earned a Masters in Communication Research from Wheaton College Graduate School, an MBA in Marketing and Management from Keller School of Management and a PhD from Union Institute and University-most of this on his own time. He was also a student at the Inter-American Defense College, Fort McNair from July 97 to July 98. Now he belongs to us. Let's make him welcome-show that we are a living organization, not just a retired one. PLEASE NOTE: If you are not being called each month concerning the dinner meeting on Wednesday, please call your service representative (listed elsewhere in the Bulletin] and ask that he/she add your name to the calling lists. Your Service Rep Has Not changed, but your caller may have. If you have not been called by Sunday Evening preceding the dinner and you wish to attend the dinner but cannot reach your own Service Rep., please call one of the others. They will be glad to accommodate you and turn in your reservation.——PLEASE DO MAKE A RESERVATION. These are the times that try men's souls.  The summer solder and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."         Thomas Paine ( 1737-1809)

ORDER OF THE EVENING SEATING CHARTS WILL BE PLACED ON TABLES AT 1830 HOURS 1830-1900: -Social Period - Bar Open--  Pay for Dinner, Check in with Service Representative, Select Seats (sign form on table)  1900-1910 : Invocation Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem  1910-2000: Dinner and Door Prizes 2000 Speaker MENU Oriental Field Greens with Rice Wine Sesame Vinaigrette  Beef Wellington  Jasmine Rice  Oriental Vegetable Mix  White Rolls—Butter  Key Lime Pie  Coffee-Tea-Iced Tea ATTENTION-SINGLES We try to sit together at MOAA dinners. Look for the sign SINGLES-and sign your name if you want to sit with us. -You do not have to sit there. ----- Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.    James Baldwin

 

CHAPTER OFFICERS 2005-2006 President Capt. James D. Brotherton USN  394-9381 email Duties First VP Col Seldon P. Graham USA  452-4000 email Duties Second VP Col. Ben A. Meharg USMC 280-2569 email Duties Third VP Major Rylen B. Rudy USMC  452-9923 email Duties Secretary   Patricia O. Eagan FMS 894-4036 email Duties Treasurer LtC. Rogerio Rabago USAF 345-8193 email Duties USA Representative Col. Bill Del Vecchio USA 244-3248 email Duties USAF Representative LtC. J. R. Howard USAF 716-4224 email Duties USN/USMC/USCG/USPHS/USNOAA LCdr. Joyce Hoover USN 452-9786 email Duties Immediate Past President Col. Maurice Quigley USA 327-0285 email Duties

 

Appointed Board Members
Chaplain	LtC. Ernest S. Dean	USAF	477-5390	email	Duties
Assistant Chaplain	Col. Leon Holland	USA	335-1224	email	Duties
Personal Affairs Officer	Capt. William K. Brown	USN	345-5420	email	Duties
Austin Military Coalition Representative	Col. Bruce Conover	USAF	282-1844	email	Duties
Legislative Affairs Officer	LtC. Carlos W. Higgins	USAF	258-3564	email	Duties
ROTC Awards Coordinator	Col. Bill Del Vecchio	USA	244-3248	email	Duties
Newsletter Editor	LtC. Mary Kelso	USA	345-7140	email	Duties
Webmaster	LtC. J. R. Howard	USAF	255-2206	email	Duties

RETIRED OFFICERS WIVES CLUB Friday,-27 January, 2006—-Luncheon at the Austin Woman's Club  708 San Antonio Street  Social time-10:45 a.m. Luncheon-11:30 a.m.  Program- C. Kirk Root, Jeweler/appraiser, "Is my Heirloom "For Real?"  For Reservations Contact: Martha Kirby— 259-0423                                          Jo Jean Gillespie—345-3069  Caring and Sharing Widows Group-first Monday of each month-1:00 PM.        -LUBY'S CAFETERIA ON STECK AVE (OFF MESA OR MOPAC)            Contact Genevieve Bruce (453-0871)  BRIDGE  Second Friday of each Month—0915 hours      Bridge—Cafeteria in the Headquarters Building of CAMP MABRY       Contact—Shirley Bone (1-246-9829)  TAPS  COL Harry A. Witt, USAF, Ret. 23 December, 2005  Survived by his Wife, Cherry  Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord: may the perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in Peace. Amen  No matter where the future leads, there is the potential within all of us to put our lives into perspective and strive to make the greatest impact we can possibly make—through gestures of love.      Mindy May from Bits & Pieces  Happy memories, like a lighted candle, light the dark places of later life. Ruth Smeltzer from Bits & Pieces

DUES FORM Please fill in the form below, detach it, and mail it with your check (payable to AMOAA) to: Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 1071 Austin TX 78767-1071 o New Member          o  Returning Member     o Current Active Member Dues for 1 Jan thru 31 Dec            are $ 17 for Officers and $ 12 for Widows and Widowers   Name, Rank, Service ___________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ___________________________________________ State _______________Email________________________ Telephone no. _______________ Fax________________________